Maintenance and Storage Best Practices

Maintaining Your Pressure Washer

• Read the operation manual before using your pressure washer for the first time.
  
  
• Before each use, check oil and fuel tank levels. Ensure all safety guards and shields are in place.
  
  
• Make sure that you and your crew have and wear OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recommended safety eye, face, hand, gloves, and shoes protection gear. Don’t forget the hi-visibility full-length coveralls.
  
  
• Always keep hands and feet clear of the cleaning nozzle.
  
  
• Never point the jet nozzle at yourself or anyone else. The jet blast can create serious skin damage.
  
  
• Use both hands to control the powerful jet wand. Be aware that when the pressure washer is turned on, the wand has a strong kickback, and you may stumble or slightly lose your balance.
  
  
• Use extreme care around electrical connections. To avoid electrical shock, keep the washer wand and water jet at least 6 feet away from electrical wires, service boxes, and entrances.
  
  
• Never use a pressure washer while standing on a ladder. Use an adjustable extension wand while standing on the ground.
  
  

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• Before beginning a new job, wash a small test area.
  
  
• Increase distance between cleaning area and nozzle for sensitive areas.
  
  
• Avoid holding the nozzle too close to a surface or too long in one spot. The jet spray can gouge wood, dent aluminum, erode stucco, blast mortar out of joints, and break glass.
  
  
• Only fill fuel tank when engine is cold and off.
  
  
• Consider using a detergent or cleaning solution to increase your cleaning power and decrease your labor.
  
  
• Always attach nozzles and accessories before starting the pressure washer.
  
  
• To avoid overheating the pump, do not leave the nozzle in a “closed” position for more than 1-2 minutes while the washer is running.
  
  
• When cleaning wood substrates, always direct water at a downward arc. Head-on spraying may damage wood decks and siding.
  
  
• Never try to repair a hose or connection leak while the system is on.

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Use this helpful checklist to prep your hot or cold pressure washer for your first spring projects. Use your owner’s manual as a quick reference guide on how to inspect and maintain your equipment. 

• Change the engine oil and pump oil.  
  
  
• Clean or replace air filter.
  
  
• Drain old gas, and refill with fresh.
  
  
• Inspect high pressure hoses and guns for cracks.
  
  
• Replace worn nozzles.

Storing and Winterizing Pressure Washers

 

ENGINE: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s manual. If you have questions, talk to your White Cap rep.
 

PUMP: Following the manufacturer’s recommended weight, change the oil after the first 25 hours of operation. Then, change oil every 3 months or 250 hour intervals. Replace oil more frequently if oil appears milky or dirty. Fill only to the center of the oil sight glass. Be careful not to overfill.
 

NOZZLES: Water flow will erode the nozzle opening, making it larger over time, resulting in a significant loss of pressure. Replace nozzles when pressure is less than 85% of the max. Mineral content and the number of hours the nozzle is used will determine how often the nozzle will need to be replaced.
 

QUICK COUPLERS: The O-ring may deteriorate or, if the washer pumps without the hose or nozzle attached, the O-ring will occasionally blow out, creating a leak. Replace as needed to repair leak.

 

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ENGINE: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s manual. If you have questions, talk to a White Cap representative. 

PUMP: Following the manufacturer’s recommended weight, change the oil after the first 50 hours of operation. Then, change oil every 3 months or 250 hour intervals. Replace oil more frequently if oil appears milky or dirty. Fill only to the center of the oil sight glass. Be careful not to overfill. 

NOZZLES: Water flow will erode the nozzle opening, making it larger over time, resulting in a significant loss of pressure. Replace nozzles when pressure is less than 85% of the max. Mineral content and number of hours the nozzle is used will determine how often the nozzle will need to be replaced. 

QUICK COUPLERS: The O-ring may deteriorate or, if the washer pumps without the hose or nozzle attached, the O-ring will occasionally blow out, creating a leak. Replace as needed to repair leak. 

FUEL WATER SEPARATOR: The fuel filter has a built-in water separator. Sometimes, you may have to drain the water from the separator using this process: 

• Check the collection bowl daily.
  
  
• With the washer turned off, place an oil catch basin under the fuel cartridge.
  
  
• Loosen the drain plug so the fuel/water contaminants flow into the catch basin.
  
  
• When completed, tighten the drain plug.
  
  
• Following EPA (Environmental Protections Agency) regulations for your area, safely dispose of drainage.

 

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NOTE: If any part of the pumping system becomes frozen, excessive pressure may build up in the unit which could cause it to burst, resulting in serious injury. If the pumping system freezes, the washer may be permanently damaged, and FREEZE DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.
 

You will need the following items:

• Two 5-gallon containers.
  
  
• One gallon of antifreeze.
  
  
• Water supply.
  
  
• Hose: 3 feet (1/2”- 3/4” inner diameter) with a 3/4” male garden hose fitting.

 

Process:

1. Run and prime unit.
   
   
2. Turn off unit and water supply.
   
   
3. Point trigger gun in a safe direction to relieve system pressure. Squeeze trigger until water nozzle runs dry.
   
   
4. Lock the trigger in OFF position, and remove the nozzle.
   
   
5. Remove the water supply hose, and attach the 3’ hose securely to the inlet connection.
   
   
6. Shut off the detergent injector if applicable.
   
   
7. Fill one 5-gallon container with water.
   
   
8. Holding the 3’ hose in an upright position, completely fill the hose with water.
   
   
9. Next, plug the hose outlet with your thumb or finger. Place the plugged end into the 5 gallon container of water.
   
   
10. Start the unit. Trigger the gun several times until all the air is worked out of the system (unit is primed). It may be necessary to adjust the engine RPM down to an idle to aid in priming.
    
    
11. With the trigger gun held open, siphon enough water out of the 5 gallon bucket until there is just enough water left to mix with the antifreeze.
    
    
12. Point the wand into the empty container.
    
    NOTE: Proper winterizing is based on the recommended manufacturer's instructions listed on the "Protection Chart" shown on the back label of most antifreeze containers.
    
    
13. Trigger the gun until the antifreeze begins to exit the wand. Release the trigger for 3 seconds, and then trigger the gun for 3 seconds. Continue cycling the gun several times until all the antifreeze mixture is siphoned from the container.
    
    
14. Detach the 3’ hose from the unit, and drain excess antifreeze back into the 5 gallon container.
    
    
15. Disconnect the hose/gun/wand assembly from the unit, and drain any excess antifreeze back into the 5 gallon container.
    
    
16. Store the hose, gun, and wand with the washer in a safe area.
    
    

Store antifreeze solution for the next use, or dispose of according to state EPA laws.

1. Shut the washer and water supply off.
   
   
2. Relieve system pressure by pointing the trigger gun in a safe direction, squeezing the trigger until nozzle runs dry.
   
   
3. Disconnect, and drain the hose, gun, and wand.
   
   
4. Start the unit, and allow it to run until all the water exits the unit. Once the water has stopped flowing, turn off. 

NOTE: When using this procedure, use caution as ice chips can form from water droplets and can cause the unit to burst if started before the washer is completely thawed.